"Put it in the Kitchen!"

Captain Don Dunn and Lauren accompanied us for the final leg of our adventure, from St. Marys Georgia to destination Key Biscayne. It didn’t take long to become acclimated to the twisted spin Captain Don applies to common boating terms.

Gary’s Lowrance GPS became known as “Larry”

The well known anchorage guru Skipper Bob became “Creepy Bob”

Sailboat Masts were referred to as “Sticks”

After Don observed that one anchorage was undesirable because it had “Sticks” leaning in different directions, I commented to Gary “You know, the way he says “Sticks” almost sounds deroga - “IT IS DEROGATORY!” Gary interrupted while Don snickered.

Applying full throttle at the helm translated to “PUT IT IN THE KITCHEN!”

And PUT IT IN THE KITCHEN we did all the way to Key Biscayne! The plan was to cover as much water as possible each day, which averaged about fifty nautical miles. Captain Don had a boat to deliver and he was on a mission.

Not to say that we were in too much of a hurry to enjoy the trip. The first day we ran through a variety of scenic marshes, land-cuts, and wide rivers. Our first night out turned into an unexpected rafting party. Jage and Jim Story (another Annapolis boat show buddy) were following on Simplicity, heading to her home port of Stuart Florida. We scoped out the best anchorage and phoned them of our location. They arrived after dark, which is never a choice but sometimes a necessity. Captain Gary wanted to make things as simple as possible for them, and suggested they just raft off to Tessa instead of trying to set an anchor. We didn’t have to ask Jage twice, and in minutes we had us a floating dinner party. While we enjoyed a well deserved cocktail to begin thawing out, Lauren prepared a delicious, bubbling pan of enchiladas, which hit the spot and warmed the cabin. Such a memorable night with great food and great friends.

We made it to Daytona Beach the following day with plenty of time to enjoy Caribbean Jacks Marina’s hot showers and nice restaurant, but the next day took the prize! Gary promised us that “Larry” would get us to a store, then the beach. Don, Lauren and I were doubled over laughing as Gary led the way down the sidewalk, looking so intently at Larry’s directions on the GPS screen that he nearly collided with a telephone pole. “Wait a minute! It was supposed to be right here!” he claimed disappointedly as we all stared at a vacant lot. This got the three of us hysterical again, and Gary and Larry stalked off ahead of us to find the beach. Finally, we were successful and enjoyed our long anticipated walk on the beach, followed by $5.00 a dozen oysters. We were in heaven!

We left Daytona and PUT IT IN THE KITCHEN again to an anchorage in order to make Melbourne the following day. The recommended anchorage was in Mosquito Lagoon, described as “buggy” by Skipper Bob. I was dreading the evening, but sometimes you get lucky, and this was the night. It was beautiful and calm, Lauren prepared Cornish Hens while I sautéed green beans and garlic rosemary potatoes AND there were no bugs. When it was time to clean up, Gary and I were reminded of our British Virgin Island Captain Jeff. He once threw a turkey carcass overboard, quickly followed by his fishing lure, and immediately landed a huge fish. Don and I got the pole ready and overboard went the Cornish hen chum. We didn’t catch a fish, but we set the stage for a dolphin feeding frenzy. As we were drifting off to sleep, I began hearing the beautiful “blow” sound dolphins make when they break the surface. I stuck my head out of the aft hatch and there they were, surrounding Tessa. I ran forward to alert Don and Lauren so that they could enjoy the sight. What wonderful background music for falling asleep!

On the way to Melbourne the next day, I phoned our friend Ken Moran, originally from Mansfield Ohio, who lives in Titusville. “We’re on our way to Melbourne, how close are you?” As was Kenny’s fashion, he replied “What time should I be there?” In keeping with our traditions, he arrived in short notice with fifty buffalo chicken wings to share as we caught up and reminisced.

We met Kenny the first time we took Tessa to Put-In-Bay in 1993, and have told the crazy story of our meeting countless times. We became fast friends and very soon Kenny became part of our family. He and Gary regularly got into long winded analytical conversations that quickly outlasted my attention span. He loved harassing Chas and Jon, and they loved giving it right back at him. He had our approval to throw either one of them overboard as he saw fit. We spent most summer weekends together at PIB with Kenny and his buddy Nick Grillo during the next ten or so years, then he began spending a lot more time in Florida with his sister Julie. Even so, as with all true friendships, we were always able to pick right back up where we left off.

 We had a great visit, then Kenny and his Monster Truck dropped us off at the local Melbourne Irish Pub where Lauren insisted we do an “Irish Car Bomb” shot, Gary got it all on film. I’m thankful my fears weren’t realized, there was no embarrassing evidence.

The next morning we were anxious to get to Vero Beach for the big reunion with John and Bobby Jo from “Don’t Look Back”. Captain Gary suggested that we request to raft off to them to make the transfer of our Mizzen Furler easier. As luck would have it, the Dock master gave us the go-ahead, and we became rafting neighbors. This, also, made the dinner party we hosted in honor of “Don’t Look Back” that night much more convenient. Just step next door and join the festive celebration, toasting to the success of the recovery of the Mizzen Furler, and the beginning of new friendships. We enjoyed a Pasta Fest and White Chocolate Raspberry Chambord Cupcakes for desert.

Dinghying in to use the facilities the next morning, we saw John and Bobby Jo rowing along behind us. Gary turned back to tow them in. Instead of throwing a line, Bobby Jo and I reached out and grabbed hands and I laughingly exclaimed “BFF!!” as we held hands like little girls all the way to the dinghy dock. Later we waved goodbye to John and departed Vero Beach. The excitement was building on board Tessa as we approached the home stretch. Our plotted course was to “go outside”(the Atlantic Ocean vs. the IntraCoastal Waterway) at Fort Pierce and continue down the Atlantic through the night for a late morning arrival at Governments Cut into Key Biscayne. Captain Don had no problem staying awake for his watch, as he was about to complete his mission to “deliver a boat”. The voyage was comfortably uneventful, with very light wind and clear skies.

The four of us were all awake and excited early in the morning as we entered the channel that led us to the mooring harbour at Rickenbacker Marina. Gary announced proudly “This is HOME, Darling!” as I gaped, speechless, toward the primo spot that some how, some way, was destined to be our home for the next five months. “Lauren, start shakin your signature drink, this calls for a celebratory Margarita Toast!” Captain Donnie Dunn completed his mission, delivered the boat, and they were off to Myrtle Beach for their next adventure.

Thanks Captain Don!

Just as our new adventure began, we received terrible news from Kenny’s sister Julie. Kenny died unexpectedly at his home just days after our reunion in Melbourne. So many unanswered questions….How could this happen, we were just with him?….Did he know he was so sick and the end was near?….Could we have done something to help?… Would we have done anything different? We are both comforted knowing for certain that Kenny already had it all figured out on December 2nd. No big deal. Nothing out of the ordinary. Just get together like always, admire the latest vehicle, mess with each other, eat some wings, reminisce about all the great times, talk about off-the-wall ideas, and look toward the future. He’ll still be with us, just like he always was in Mansfield, Dayton, Orlando, Put-In-Bay, Port Clinton, Melbourne……. In Loving Memory of Ken Moran Great Friend, Loving Brother, Dedicated Father February 7 1959 - December 7 2008